How often do you clean filter

[techrach]

I have a Eheim 2217 Canister filter. I can't see anywhere how often to clean them and do you clean the Bio media and the floss in the same cleaning.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[sssnake]

I clean my canister filter every 4-6 weeks. I rinse out everything in the filter including the inside of the canister with water from the tank itself (important) in order to keep the beneficial bacteria. If your sponges and floss are fairly clean after rinsing you may re-use them again.

Tip for sponges: After a good rinsing (with tank water) squeeze the sponge. If the sponge springs back to its original state it's OK. Place it back in the canister. If it feels "mushy" (for lack of a better word), it's time to change it.

Important: If you must change sponges I suggest you change a different one everytime you clean your filter. Try not to change all at the same time because you'll be throwing away all the good bacteria.

The floss part of my canister I'll change if it's really dirty, meaning after rinsing I can't see light through it when I hold it up to a window.

Hope this helps ...... good luck.

[coral reefer]

Clean it every few months as they become phosphate and nitrate traps that leach out into the water. As SSSnake stated, wash out the contents with tank water to keep the bacteria alive.
persona;;y the only filtration I have on my 75 gallon tank is a skimmer and refugium with a phosphate reactor. I just ditched my Fluval 304 cannister filter as it kept getting dirty and became a phosphate problem.